The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-03-09
THE FARMERS MEASURES BE.
~ FORE THE LEGISLATURE.

Cuo Uill cSCdUllSuluS dH fASIlCuiCoai"
and Mechanical College, both passed
the Legislature LAST week. The
Agricultural Committee of w hich Mr.
Fries was chairman dijested and
presented a bill for changing the
Department of Agriculture, which
in it's general scope was essentially
what was asked for by the Farmers
Convention. We have been unable
to get a synopsis of the bill as it
passed it's final reading, but hope to
do SO at an early day.
No measure was before the body
during it's sitting, that created, per
haps, more interest than the bill to
establish the Agricultural College.
As reported from the Committee on
Education, section 4. of the bill
required the transfer of the land
scrip fund from the University to
the College, and in lieu thereof an
equal amount should be paid to tle
t,e University from the general
treasury. On motion Of Mr.. Pas
chal, the latter clause Of this sec
ton was stricken out and it was on
this motion that the interest was
conferred. Messrs. Holt, Thomas,
Leazer, Doughton and others oppos-
ed the motion with much earnest
hess and feeling and the discussion
involved a general review of the re-
~lations between the people of the
State and the University. Promi-
nent among those who favored the
motion Of Mr.. Paschal, were Messrs.
Osborne and Moore, of MeckIenburg,
Mr.. FELTON,, Of Tyrrell, and DR.. York,
Mr.. Osborne was in favor of sus-
tanning the University, but he want
ed to meet the issue squarely-he
wanted to see this great State insti-
tuition and the Agricultural College,
each placed before the body squarely
on their merits. He was opposed
to imperilling the interests of the
Agricultural College, as set forth in
the bill, by lacking on to it this
rider" for the University. Let the
two measures stand on their own
merits and let members meet direct
ly and like men.
Mr.. FELTON, argued that the cham
pions of the University were preju-
dicing the interests of the institu-
ton by this attempt to secure APP
preparations by this indirect course.
Mr.. Moore said, by the action of
certain gentlemen this question had
unfortunately assumed the shape of
a square fight between the Agricul-
tural College and the University.
He greatly regretted it, but the issue
had been forced on the friends of the
Agricultural College, and they were
prepared to meet it. The Farmers
convention had asked for this college
they need it and should have it.,
and would have it, and we're more
than willing to base its claims on
their merits. Was the University
afraid to do as much? This land
scrip fund belonged to the Agricul-
tura! College, by the act Of congress
donating it. 1t belonged to it by
every consideration of right and JUS
tice and the people, through their
convention, had declared their pur-
pose and determination to have it.
The University had no right to it.
His speech was one of the strongest
and ablest that was delivered during
the whole discussion. Mr.. PaschaTs
motion was adopted, ayes 60, nays
~. Thus amended, Sec. 4 simply
declared that the land scrip should
be transferred to the Agricultural
College.
Col. Holt moved to strike out this
section. His motion was voted
dOwn-75 to 9.
Mr.. Crawford, of Mcdowell, offer
ed an amendment providing that the
Board Of Trustees be composed
half of each political party and it
was adopted-45 to AZ.
Mr.. Shaw moved to table both bill
and amendment-lost, Sc to sc.
Mr.. Pearson, an amendment that
farmers sons be taught free and be
paid mileage to and from college
lost, Is to A.
Mr.. Bennett an amendment that
the school shall be located at the
University-lost, 45 to so.
Mr.. Fries an amendment provi-
ding for the transfer of the land
scrip fund SO soon after June 1888,
as the Agricultural College may
deem to their best interest and not
to compromise the said fund, Adopt
ed. 81 to 13.